Friday, September 10, 2021

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III Meeting With Philippines Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana

 Sept. 10, 2021

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Philippines Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana at the Pentagon today to commemorate the 70th anniversary year of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty and discuss ways to deepen this vital alliance. 

In recognition of this important anniversary, the Secretaries affirmed the enduring nature of the U.S.-Philippines alliance, as well as their shared commitment to building an even stronger foundation for future alliance cooperation. Secretary Austin reiterated that the U.S. commitment to Philippine security is ironclad, and that U.S. treaty commitments extend to Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea. He expressed his appreciation for the Philippine decision to restore the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement, which signals a commitment by both sides to enhance the scale and scope of alliance cooperation.  The Secretaries also discussed the importance of increased military and security cooperation to support Philippine defense modernization efforts and build alliance interoperability. 

The Secretaries agreed to undertake a number of new initiatives that will ensure the bilateral alliance is postured to address new and emerging challenges. These include:

  • developing a joint vision statement on shared priorities for the next phase of our alliance cooperation;
  • concluding a bilateral maritime framework that advances military activities and cooperation in the maritime space;
  • resuming infrastructure improvement projects at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement agreed locations in the Philippines; and
  • Re-convening the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue later this year.

The Secretaries closed the meeting by reiterating their commitment to supporting the security, stability, and prosperity of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and to building an even more capable alliance that is based on a shared foundation of common interests and values.

Marine Security

 

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jonathan Arreguinperez provides security during an exercise in Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 31, 2021.

Sicily Skies

 

A sailor looks out the side of an MH-60S Seahawk in Sicily, Aug. 8, 2021.

Remembrance Ceremony

 

Air Force Master Sgt. Christian Navarro-Salazar salutes during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, Sept. 9, 2021.

Veteran Escort

 

Air Force Master Sgt. Willie Hutchinson, a Michigan Air National Guardsman, escorts a veteran with the Michigan Veterans Home in Grand Rapids, Mich., July 22, 2021. Michigan guardsmen are supporting the home by assisting in activities and providing accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Austin Says Philippines Is Vital Ally With Shared Goals

 Sept. 10, 2021 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana today at the Pentagon.

"The Philippines is a vital treaty ally. Our countries face a range of 21st century challenges, and cooperation is key to the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific," Austin said.

Two men stand at attention. A military honor guard is in the foreground.

The secretary mentioned that the two nations recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty, which was signed Aug. 30, 1951. That treaty, he said, "remains the bedrock of our alliance."

Austin said he was pleased Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in July retracted the letter that would have terminated the visiting forces agreement.

The agreement allows the DOD to conduct over 300 bilateral engagements a year with the armed forces of the Philippines. These range from expert exchanges to ship visits to component exercises and major joint/combined training exercises.

The secretary said he's looking forward to discussions on several priority areas, including maritime cooperation, modernizing the armed forces of the Philippines and increasing interoperability, information sharing and investments. 

Two men walk past a military honor guard.

"America is committed to a sovereign and secure Philippines and to building an even stronger alliance based on our foundation of common interest and common values. And I look forward to discussing ways that we can deepen our partnership," Austin said.

Lorenzana said the two nations have shared goals in the Indo-Pacific region that include a stable and secure environment.

"Regional instability necessitates a network of effective alliances and defense partnerships," he said.

The current modernization of the armed forces of the Philippines has been one of the main areas of alliance cooperation with the United States, he said.

"I'm optimistic that today's discussion will continue to build on the friendship, partnership and alliance between our two countries, which is founded on our shared system, history and cooperation," Lorenzana said.

Blue Roof

 

Army Corps of Engineers contractors perform a free Blue Roof installation on a home affected by Hurricane Ida in St. Tammany Parish, La., Sept. 9, 2021.

Aerial Assault

 

Marines exit two MV-22B Ospreys during Exercise Koolendong at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Australia, Aug. 29, 2021. Marines and Australian soldiers worked together to conduct a simulated aerial assault during the exercise.

Cannon Fire

 

Soldiers fire cannons during the U.S. Army North change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Sept. 9, 2021.

Ocean Ops

 

Sailors heave a line aboard the USS George H.W. Bush during a replenishment in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 9, 2021.

Water Jump

 

A soldier lands in White Lake during airborne training in Elizabethtown, N.C., Aug. 26, 2021.

Smooth Sailing

 

The littoral combat ship USS Jackson, front, sails alongside Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships through Malakal Passage, Palau, Sept. 2, 2021.

Final Tribute

 

Air Force Honor Guard members carry the remains of Col. Richard E. Cole and the American flag during his interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, Sept. 7, 2021. Cole was the last survivor of the Doolittle Raid in which U.S. aircraft attacked Tokyo in response to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Heavy Load

 

Sailors and Marines prepare to load a crate of sonobuoys onto an MV-22 Osprey on San Clemente Island, Calif, Aug. 18, 2021.

Tracker Training

 

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Rubi Martinez moves figures on the ouija board during flight deck certification aboard the USS George H. W. Bush in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 6, 2021.

Crucible Charge

 

Marine Corps recruits charge up a hill during the ‘Crucible,’ a 54-hour training event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 2, 2021.

Preflight Check

 

Unmanned aerial vehicle operators start the engine of a VBAT unmanned aerial system during preflight checks aboard the USS Portland in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 5, 2021.

Tearful Champion

 

Para-swimmer Army Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Marks holds her gold medal during the medal ceremony for the women’s 100-meter backstroke at the 2020 Summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Sept. 3, 2021. Marks won the gold in a world record time.

Lightning Flight

 

Air Force Maj. Kristin "BEO" Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies over the Toronto skyline during the 2021 Canadian International Air Show, Sept. 4, 2021. The show marked the first time the F-35 Demonstration Team had flown for the city of Toronto.